1 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Tell the sons of Israel to raise a contribution for Me; from every man whose heart moves him you shall raise My contribution. 3 “This is the contribution which you are to raise from them: gold, silver and bronze, 4 blue, purple and scarlet material, fine linen, goat hair, 5 rams’ skins dyed red, porpoise skins, acacia wood, 6 oil for lighting, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, 7onyx stones and setting stones for the ephod and for the breastpiece. 8 “Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them. 9 “According to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, just so you shall construct it.
Often times, when it comes to giving, people think it’s a forced thing, that they have to give, or God won’t be happy with them. We talk about tithing being ten percent of our income, and think that He will be pleased so long as we follow that rule. But that’s not what we see here. God wanted the Israelites to give from their hearts. He wanted a sincere gift, that was not coerced. He wants the same from us. Yes, ten percent is a good guideline. But don’t let that hold back your giving. Give from your heart.